Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $64,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $64,195/year (≈ $30.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $66,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salary in Milwaukee is projected to reach $64,195 in 2026, which illustrates a competitive compensation landscape when compared to the national median of $74,332. Local salaries range from $52,371 at the 10th percentile to $78,146 at the 90th percentile, indicating that there is a significant variance in pay levels based on factors such as experience and setting. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the growing demand for occupational therapy assistants in the region. Milwaukee's healthcare market continues to expand, creating opportunities for COTAs who are crucial to delivering quality patient care through effective therapy programs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,371 | $25.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,846 | $28.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,195 | $30.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,735 | $35.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,146 | $37.57 |
Median Salary Position
13.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,775 (2026 est.). At $64,195, the local median is 13.64% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $64,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $59,494 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -13.64% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $64,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $59,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $64,195 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,223 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,290
2025 BLS Actual
$62,440
2026 Current Est.
$64,195
2019–2027 Growth
+151.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 137.5% from $26,290 (2019) to $62,440 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,708 (151.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $52,371 – $59,846 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,846 – $64,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,195 – $73,735 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,735 – $78,146 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, around 230 occupational therapy assistants currently serve the local healthcare needs, and understanding the job market dynamics is essential for anyone entering this field. With a cost-of-living index of 96.937, salaries here tend to go further than in many other urban areas, although the effect of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut since 2022 has impacted pay, especially in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Employment in these settings often offers higher wages compared to school districts or early intervention programs. Factors such as weekend shifts and productivity expectations also drive salary fluctuations in this market. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Milwaukee, candidates are advised to pursue positions in hospitals, leverage available professional development opportunities, and consider the potential benefits of year-round contracts to enhance their earnings.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,440 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Milwaukee metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov